Comments on: Buick freshens up its Chinese-market Excelle subcompact

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:57:26 +0000

“Get used to the dealer cuz with Gm’s (sic) track record you will be there often”

Well said. I’ve got a kid who’ll be getting licensed soon, so that’s probably a trip to the dealer there.

By: tripleonefive

tripleonefive — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:48:35 +0000

You got the Enclave bc you are an idiot who let patriotism make your decision for you instead of doing your homework(if you had done that in school you wouldnt be a janitor but thats another story) and buying the better vehicle which happens to be made by foreign companies in this case the Japanese
Im not giving GM a shot until they actually prove their worth but if you want to take a chance on them so be it. Not only would they have to prove they are in the same league but they would have to be ahead of the competition and thats not going to happen anytime soon.
Get used to the dealer cuz with Gm’s track record you will be there often

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:55:48 +0000

Commodore: well said on Buick’s market position. As 1115 has pointed out, I could have afforded the “luxury” Highlander or Pilot, but I went with the Enclave. Years ago, i thought of Buick as an old man’s car. There’s still more work to do.

mazdaman: I haven’t seen your posts for a while, but you’re still talking sense.

1115: “anything american is sub par compared to Honda or even Toyota.” yeah yeah yeah, we get the picture,m GM sucks, no matter how much evidence is presented that supports the opposite thory, honda and toyota are world-beaters. You can go play now.

By: sharpie

sharpie — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:14:05 +0000

Nice design even though it is a rebadge. Mazdaman, don’t forget it is CHINA we are talking about. Buick isn’t considered a premium brand there nor will it try to compete with the Germans. In fact, the Chinese badge on the right side of the trunk says “Shanghai GM” not Buick. Most carbuyers over there don’t care if the Estelle is a rebadged Daewoo, which is actually quite good comparing to some homemade products. Of course, 10-20 years from now, it will be a different story.

Oh yeah, the MX3 1.8L V6 was sweet. Maintenance was much except I had to sell my kidney for the timing belt replacement. Otherwise, great car and lots of torque, unlike comparable 4 bangers of the 90s.

By: autonut

autonut — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 23:26:54 +0000

Htay9500, I was conversing with johnnycanuck about smoothness of V6 vs I4. Granted little 2.0L engine will be complaining under stress, bit it still very smooth running.

By: Htay9500

Htay9500 — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 19:29:53 +0000

autonut: which MY? my moms 97 which is good on smooth pavementcan be a bit loud in some hillish roads and sometimes hwys but still good.

By: tripleonefive

tripleonefive — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 02:35:25 +0000

anything american is sub par compared to Honda or even Toyota
Buick need a small G35 ish type car That Riviera concept looked nice and would make a nice 4 door car if they can keep it close to production
Buick still has some life left Of course its not better than anything from Honda or Toyota but old folks and people who dont know any better can buy them

By: autonut

autonut — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 23:14:41 +0000

johnny, try Honda’s engines for smoothness. 2.4L 4 cyl in newer CR-V (I own 2) is as smooth as 2.0L in older one, however it has counter balance. I think 2.4L Chrysler engine is just not very well executed down south in Mexico. On paper it looked very good. I looked at PT, but engine is just sub par compare to Honda’s.

By: mazdaman

mazdaman — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:04:43 +0000

While the car looks a lot better with its recently added “proper” Buick brand elements (the pre-facelift version of the Excelle really didn’t remotely look like a Buick), I still can’t help but see an inexpensive Suzuki Forenza rebadge clone instead of anything that would revitalize Buick. Buick is supposed to be a premium GM division; I think they deserve something much better than this. I would like to see Buick develop a compact FWD sedan (and maybe coupe) on a shortened version of the Epsilon II platform. I believe Bob Lutz has claimed that the platform was flexible enough to underpin vehicles that are both smaller and larger than the current Epsilon midsize products. I think this move would give Buick a proper premium compact product on a platform that would be a little more upscale than the Delta based products offered by Chevy, Saturn, and Opel. I think Buick really does need premium compact products, especially in a fuel efficiency conscious market. I don’t think a gussied-up, rebadged Suzuki (Daewoo) product is the answer, though.

By: Commodore

Commodore — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 18:37:03 +0000

Mapcapp – Buick of China is trying because (even though the Chinese commie government is really restrictive) the Chinese are very receptive to American cars like Buick that carry (or used to carry) prestige. Here, Buick is not even considered by a lot of people like 1115 so when cars like the Lucerne come out, not many people even put it on their shopping list. So basically, Buick North America doesn’t really have much of a market for itself here. Which is why Buick jumped in the crossover game with the Enclave – crossovers are popular right now so by making a really good one that people will actually consider, Buick has a change to improve its image. If people like the Enclave, they might at least give a look to the future Buicks that come (LaCrosse for example) rather than just stereotype Buick as a coffin-maker and not even consider it. That’s my best and longest explanation

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 03:44:21 +0000

autonut, most models that offer both 4 and 6 cyl engines sell more of the smaller powerplant simply because of price. I would speculate most purchasers would prefer the larger engine but in most cases it’s not as simple as just upgrading the motor. It usually involves a lot of other added options or tire/wheel/suspension upgrades that go along with it. Your point about 4 cyl less than 2.0l is correct. The 2.0 in my Neon is smoother than the 2.4 was in our recently traded PT.

By: autonut

autonut — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 01:58:39 +0000

It is a nice looking sedan. I suspect it will not come here for few reasons, most importantly – quality. What will be accepted in China, will not pass here for a bag of ****. But it does look good.

johnny, I recall Mazda small 6 and the reason it did not fly, cause it was smooth and not as efficient as four. It also was expensive and the same Mazda with 1.6L sold in much larger numbers. Actually, 4 cylinder does not even need counter balance if displacement is less then 2L, but with counter balance 4 cylinders is as smooth as 6 (and sometimes better). In my 11 year old CR-V you cant feel engine working – 2L and I don’t think it has balance.

By: Impulsive

Impulsive — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:25:39 +0000

‘CaCaLover’, we don’t need no stink’ echo here … we know what it is, fool. Shadap.

By: Htay9500

Htay9500 — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 22:07:21 +0000

Buick offers lots of nice cars there, sadly not here!

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:16:17 +0000

johnny;

A guy i went to college with had an MX-3 Just great!

By: LaCaLover

LaCaLover — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:01:03 +0000

Come on guys, the car this is based on is complete garbage

By: tzu13

tzu13 — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:27:02 +0000

…But if GM brought that car here like a lot of people here think they should, what would happen to the beloved Aveo?

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:22:26 +0000

I’ll never understand why small displacement 6 cylinder engines never really became mainstream. Remember the Mazda MX3 with its 1.8l 6? Sure it was no barn-burner, but it felt like silk compared to the similar displacement 4 bangers of its day.

I agree a lot of North Americans would like this Buick… that is until they hit the gas.

By: LaCaLover

LaCaLover — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 19:33:53 +0000

Stinky007 just in case any of you have no sense of humor, and I am guessing there are a few of you who dont, post 12 from me was a joke based on Stinky’s previous entries

By: LaCaLover

LaCaLover — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:17:02 +0000

It’s a CHevrolet Lacetti (the reasonably priced car so derided on Top Gear)

By: Ray Sinclair

Ray Sinclair — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:07:20 +0000

The more I think about it, this is a huge no-brainer. There is a huge market of customers, young and old, who like the idea of a small car that gets great mileage, but shows a touch of class, and yet doesn’t cost $ 30,000. This would succeed where the previous Skylark and Century failed. It looks sophisticated and elegant.

This would make an excellent Regal. With this as the Regal, The LaCrosse (I think it should be the LeSabre), and Lucerne (I think it should be the Park Avenue), you have the sedan market covered from entry $17,000 to Top of the Line $45,000. Funny-I have no feelings whatsoever for the Suzuki version, but I love this Buick.

By: 400horseSS

400horseSS — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:02:04 +0000

It would be a great Corolla fighter if brought here and priced right.

By: Madcapp

Madcapp — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:57:02 +0000

Somebody explain to me why Buick of China is trying, but Buick of North America is not.

By: Ray Sinclair

Ray Sinclair — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:48:10 +0000

GM is so dumb. Really. This is a car that they should offer in the U.S. What other subcompact has this much class? I would buy this over a Cobalt or a G5 anyday. Almost all other subcompacts look like they’re made for teenagers, or are so youthful that anyone over 40 should be embarrassed to even consider one. This car looks good and offers a stately sophistication not found in the market today. It is a far, far cry from the Cadillac Cimarron, and would fit very nicely in the 17-23 grand range. And that’s coming from this 28 year old.

By: Stinky007

Stinky007 — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:34:55 +0000

^self-bashing
I’m a moron, they actually say what the car is based on in the article…

By: Stinky007

Stinky007 — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:33:58 +0000

Wow, an american manufacturers sells Korean cars in China!
This is basically a Chevrolet/Daewoo Lacetti…

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:31:20 +0000

doesn’t look bad, but i’d rather not see a Buick subcompact in the U.S.

By: xkr

xkr — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:30:45 +0000

That back end looks a little Audi A8

By: 04focus

04focus — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:21:53 +0000

somehow the Buick grille in the front 3/4 view makes the car look a lot more stately. even though we’ve already rejected this car in Suzuki Forenza guise, and this is just a nosejob and a butt tuck of the Forenza, it looks good.

By: cookie4me

cookie4me — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:12:05 +0000

Its the two tone color contrast that makes the Chinese Buicks look more expensive than they are. I love the flat black dash and warm brown/neutral themes in all cars. There is something about it that keeps it looking intriguing over time.

By: corvette

corvette — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:55:12 +0000

interiors better than most American made cars in the US.